Well Don it looks like we both get steamed about this whole topic. Yes the media is faulted, yes the media could make a positive change, yes the manufacturers could start caring for everything healthy instead of their wallets -- we can all hold them accountable for much. However, what about holding each and every human being accountable for their choices. As long as people continue to buy this "junk" the manufacturers will continue to make it. What happened to parents cooking for their families - because the parents are too busy it is easier to pick up McDonalds, a pizza, or fix something out of a box for the family - instead of cooking in the kitchen with good healthy foods.

As the world continues to be "too" busy so is it too easy to just grab and run.

NEW WAVE --- If it didn't come out of the ground, if it didn't have a head and if it didn't come off a tree - don't eat it.

That is exactly what people need to go back to. Each fresh wholesome healthy foods that are untouched by a manufacturer. Does that make us completely safe - probably not. But it does get rid of all the junk on the shelves that is contributing to the declining health of our population as a whole.

We are all responsible for ourselves and our families, we all have freedom of choice - we all need to take a hard look at where we are, why we are there and what are we going to do about it.

I made my choice several years ago to eat good healthy food - I don't buy packaged food if I can help it and the food label gets a good read before I will buy it. I chose not to eat all that junk and I have my good health, a healthy and fit body and an abundance of energy from making that choice.

Will America ever get to that???? It is a good question. We are in a world of make believe sometimes -- I have clients come to me and truly do believe that as a Personal Trainer that I can fix them without them making any change in their lifestyle at all. How do people come to these conclusions - the same as you write on, the media. How often do you see magazines or TV or whatever form of media you may see say that you can get a six pack in 2 weeks --- HELLO, REALITY CHECK. American is afraid of work, of thinking, of planning and any and all of the things that are necessary to give you the life and lifestyle that you dream of. Everyone wants QUICK FIXES - well the real world is that quick fixes are not the answer.

Okay so now I have been on my soapbox. Who wants to be next? I truly pray that the people of the world can wake up to the reality of what is happening and take the initiative to fix it.

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"

Back in the 1920's the cigarette makers were in a quandary. They weren't selling enough cigarettes. What to do?

Well a relative of Sigmund Freud took his ideas and bastardized them by selling them to big business. Back then women were not allowed to smoke. This fellow approached cigarette manufacturers and said, what silliness is this?!!? We have to sell America on the idea that smoking is glamorous and sexy, put some women on the big screen smoking in ways that make it too seductive for women across America NOT to smoke!

And off to the races they went! Without a care in the world for the consequences beyond their own bottom line.

Very similarly, big business has sold us out, convinced us all that foods which are truly irresistibly delicious are highly processed, sweet, salty, oopy & goopy, and CHEAP TO MANUFACTURE via mass production!

We've been led astray from buying local, buying fresh and sticking with food that is NOT far removed from the real thing.

The same principles of marketing could be applied to convince us all that after a hard day's work the best treat we could give ourselves as we collapse into our chair is a bowl of freshly cut veggies! Ah...the HIGH life! Who could ask for anything more! :-)

Marketing is a highly effective tool. It must be or big business wouldn't throw bazillions of dollars into it. They expect many multiples of returns on their investment. And they get it. Right from our wallets and pocketbooks! Freedom of choice? Look at how tuned in we are to mass media, especially children! Think about the TARGET POPULATION most advertising is generally geared toward! The media pumps TERRIBLE messages into our youth! You know, the younger people who haven't yet fully developed their critical thinking and judgment? Typically there is a tremendous impact that can be lifelong!?

So like in the movies...this can be a skill used for great HARM, OR this can be a skill used for great GOOD!

Australia found that out: There was concern over record motor vehicle fatalities and epidemic speeders on the motorways. The government hired a top-notch advertising firm to come up with a solution, which they did: a huge campaign was waged to promote speeding as something insecure people did to compensate for their small egos. They took a scene out of a Quentin Tarantino movie in which these two hot young women pull up beside Kurt Russell who is in a souped-up behemoth on four wheels and crook their finger at him saying "oooh! Big Engine, Little Winkie!" and drive off leaving him in the dust.

It soon became cool in Australia to be calm and rational in one's driving and highly UN-cool to speed! And it WORKED! Speeding tickets dropped, accidents decreased.

The power of marketing: promoting health and wellness of the citizenry! It *COULD* happen! We can make it clear to businesses and politicians what kind of world we want to see evolve into.

Vote with our $$$: I no longer buy any beverage but spring water (yes I know there is a problem with those bottles, but I only buy gallon jugs and use my reusable bottle to refill to my heart's content) and coffee. If we collectively steer our food budget away from highly processed, unhealthy foods, big business will get the point. If more of us complain to business, politicians and regulators over misleading advertising, they will get the point.

Hey, sorry @ the rant, but this is a topic that REALLY steams me up!

Does anyone else out there have thoughts along these lines?

Don

Co-Team Leader for All Health Pros, Binghamton Area Losers & Laid Off But Staying Strong SparkTeams

Don't die with your music still in you. -- Dr. Wayne Dyer

"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." --- Carlos Castaneda

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." --- Buddha

Don there is no absolute better way to go then to plan for the event, keep it at one meal and get right back on track. It will leave you with such a feeling of accomplishment and yet not hurt you in the long run. Having a completely "free day" is going too far and people get out of control - so keep it to "the meal" and stay on track the rest of the day.

Food is fuel - I don't know where and when the world turned to LIVING TO EAT. Food has taken over in a manner that it was never meant to be. When everyone can put food in its proper place, there won't be any problems with weight gain. It is all a mindset - it has no purpose other than to fuel our bodies.

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"

If you can approach every holiday with the idea that you will follow your normal eating plan for every meal except the actual holiday meal, then you can sit down and enjoy what is being served, including dessert. Then when that meal is over, get right back on track. You will have enjoyed the moment but won't be left with all the inner turmoil of making a day out of OVER-CONSUMPTION.

I have been able to train my mind to know that you have 2 seconds of enjoyment and 2 months of absolute disgust -- it is not worth those very few moments of enjoyment. Someone else said that it is only food and she is ever so right. We all need to learn to EAT TO LIVE, NOT LIVE TO EAT.

I hope that you all enjoy a tremendous day with friends and family and that you will walk away from the day feeling good about how you did.

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go"

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”

When you get to a plateau, think of it as a landing on the stairway to your goal. And maintenance is a lifelong plateau, so a bit of "rehearsal" for maintenance isn't the worst thing in the world

I know what you mean about feeling like you "missed out". It's important to remember that it is JUST FOOD, and you won't remember what you ate or didn't in a few days. Also, it's okay to have small portions of your favorites so you don't feel deprived and splurge later. Enjoy!

Everyone is discussing what they are doing at Thanksgiving what they will be eating, etc. What worries me more is when the holiday is over! That is my worst time. My usually logical mind becomes distorted and I think about what others were eating and I wasn't. This to me is the danger zone. Feeling that I have missed out. However, my intentions are to stay on track, think about the work I put into losing the weight and remembering how I looked before. I will keep a picture handy of myself when I was fat!

Phyllis Co-leader of the Emotional Eaters team Leader of Alamance County, NC, team Leader of The SP Class 0f June 14-20,2009 SparkPeople Motivator

IN GOD I TRUST!

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it. William Arthur Ward

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